Part 5: ESTELLE BRIGHT! It is time for...THE RECKONING!

Back once again in lovely Rolent. It's big enough to have its own church, you know!

-Provincial City of Rolent-



Before we go chasing after Joshua, let's take a moment and catch up with all of Estelle's wonderful neighbors. They must have missed her so.



Alan: Ooh! Chestnut hair in twintails, brown eyes that are almost red like flame...Healthy proportions, but...lacking in a certain feminine charm. I'll have to give that one 82 points!
...Please explain to me, in detail, exactly how I am 82 points. I want justification for the beatings.
Alan: ...Well, now that I look, it's you, Estelle! Hey, been a while.
Ugh...You're the same as always, Alan.
Alan: All the traffic from the queen's birthday celebrations has finally settled down. Rolent is back to its usual self.



Pat: You're back, you're back! Welcome back!
Hi, Pat! Yeah...I'm back.
Pat: Luke heard about what you guys did and has really started practicing with his sword. He keeps saying that he'll absolutely become stronger than you, Estelle.



Luke: ESTELLE!! Estelle's back!
Hey, Luke! You sound like you're doing okay.
Luke: Heheh. Heheheheheheheheh! Meeting me here shall be your end. Now, I shall show you the results of my DAYS of training! ESTELLE BRIGHT! It is time for...THE RECKONING!
Time for the...What?
Luke: Our DUEL, duuuuh! Just gonna tell you now, I'm the bestest fighter in all of Rolent now! So c'mon! Let's DUEL!
Oh...Uh, yeah, we'll do that later.
Luke: ...Huh? What the crap! What kinda bracer backs down from a totally awesome challenge like that? H-Hey...are you okay, Estelle? You seem kinda...I dunno...
What, no, I'm the same as always! I just need to go do something.
Luke: Estelle...where's...?
Say what, Luke?
Luke: Nah...Nothin'.



Elissa: ESTELLE?!
Hi, Elissa. It's been a while, huh?
Elissa: It's been a while? COME ON! You haven't been back since you went to Bose!
Well, uh, a lot kinda happened...
Anyway, sorry if I worried you.
Elissa: Oh, I heard all about it! You became a full bracer AND stopped Alan Richard, huh? You're so cool! Oh, yeah! Meanwhile, I'm finally allowed full run of the kitchen.
Whoa, really?! That's great!
Don't patronize people, Estelle.
Elissa: Heehee! Come by and eat sometime! I'll treat you to my very super best!
You bet your butt I will!
Elissa: Now, with all THAT outta the way, let's talk about the REAL topic.
...The who wha?
Elissa: Oh, don't play coy with me, Miss Bracer! (Y'know...I'm talking about the total stud behind you. What happened to Joshua?)
(Uh...)
(I-It's not like that!!)
(Father Graham was worried about me being alone, so he came...I mean, he, or, uh...)
Elissa: (Ooooooh, so he was worried about you being alone, you saaaaaay?)
Gnaaaaaaaaah, it's not LIKE THAT!
I'm here to go catch up to Joshua at home. JOSH-U-A. He went a little ahead of us.
Elissa: Did he...? Oh, well, fiiiiiine. That's enough for one day. Unfortunately I'm still on the clock, so come by again. Make sure you bring Joshua, too. I bet I'll hear a lot more interesting stuff if you do that!
I'm telling you, you have it all wrong...
(Um, huh?)
Elissa: Oh, yeah, Estelle...
Uh, was there something else?
Elissa: Tio really wants to see you, y'know! The whole family does, really.
You're not allowed to go out west yet, so the Perzels will have to wait.



Densel: Oh, welcome indeed! If it isn't Estelle Bright!
Hi, Densel. You sure seem full of energy.
Densel: Darn right, I am! No one'd want to eat food cooked by some lazy slob, right?
Haha. I guess not.
Densel: Oh, yeah, we've got a new dish. It's the 'Three-Eyed Soup.' Give it a try and 'see' what you think! Heh.



Tabitha: ...Estelle?! My goodness! It's been so long!
Haha! Yeah, it really has.
Tabitha: You surprised me, sweetie. When did you return to Rolent?
I practically just got off the airship.
Tabitha: Is that so? Well, I'm sure Elissa will be over the moon to see you again. Do come by with your friends again.
You don't need to tell me twice!
Tabitha: I'll see you soon, then! My family's doing well as usual. If you have the time, do say hello to them all.



Hi, Claire. Sorry I haven't seen you in a while.
Claire: ...HEY! Who're YOU?!
YOUNG LADY THAT IS EXTREMELY BAD LANGUAGE--wait never mind
Uh, who, me?
Claire: Wait! Could it be...Is he a mystery man, here to tear Estelle and Joshua apart? You aren't allowed to have an exciting love triangle where I can't cover it!
Uhhhhhh. Claire?
Claire: Oh, I know, I'm sure he'll fight Joshua TO THE DEATH! But the flames of friendship will ignite as Mr. Green-Hair breathes his last...
O-kaaay, the, uh, kids around here are somethin' else...
Claire: Estelle, where's Joshua? Or is that really your new man, and you ALREADY threw Joshua to the lions?
. . .
(Er, missy! Ix-naaaay!)



CWO Ashton: I wasn't aware you'd be returning to Rolent.
Hi, Mr. Ashton! I, like, literally just got back.
CWO Ashton: I see! Well, I'm sure Luke will be very happy to see you've returned. Luke's been dedicating himself heavily to learning the way of the sword recently. I had wondered what sparked the sudden interest, but he doesn't want to tell me. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to spend time with my son, since I'm out of the house so much. Haha...It is a little embarrassing, to be honest. The Royal Army is going to be undergoing substantial organizational reform. We're all going to be very busy in the near future...



Yes! Hello!
Mine Chief Gaton: Thanks to you, our mining of a new vein's going just fine. After what happened, we closed up that hole the monsters came out of with some explosives.
Um, well, glad to hear it ended well...
Mine Chief Gaton: Wasn't really any other way. It was worth it, though. Ol' Malga's running just fine now. Today's a day to spend with family. Feels like the right thing to do since I've been stuffed up in that mine all the time lately.



Anya: And we're gonna go on a picnic to the Perzel farm!





Whoops, wrong turn.



Just a moment ago, actually.
Fate: I heard from Aina. You've become a full bracer, right? Sounds like that trip of yours was worthwhile!
Ah, haha...Yeah, pretty...pretty much.
Fate: From what I heard, it sounds like Cassius has rejoined the Royal Army, too. The coup really surprised us all, but in the end, maybe it'll help the kingdom come closer together. I'm just glad it seems like we'll be able to entrust a bright future to our children.



Hey, Yuni! You been okay?
Yuni: Uh-huh, I'm okay! Estelle, did you see Luke? He's been talkin' about you a lot.
He has? Huh...



Elger: Estelle! It IS you!
Hi, Elger. I've missed you.
Elger: YOU, young lady, have been all over the damned news. Heard you're a full bracer now, among other things. Really. You Brights just surprise me again and again. I heard that old dog Cassius is well, too. Though...Wait a moment. Where's Joshua?
Ah, he came home a bit ahead of us. I was just on my way back home myself.
Elger: Did he, now? He came back and didn't even drop by to say hello? Well, that's just heartless.
Joshua didn't stop by to say hi?
That silly...Don't worry. I'll tell him to come visit when I see him.
Elger: Yes, please do.
...
Elger: Estelle...
Hm? What is it?
Elger: No...it's nothing.



Hiya, Stella.
Stella: It's really you...
Huh?
Stella: It's really my little Estelle! Oh, Aidios. It feels like I haven't seen you in years.
I kinda think you're blowing it out of proportion.
Stella: We talked about you every day. You went off to travel without saying anything to me...
Yeah...Sorry, Stella.
Sorry, Stella You need to leave your damn room if you want to talk to people, jeez.
Stella: Oh, it's all right. I know you were in a hurry. More importantly, come on! Tell me all about your journey. I'd love to see Joshua, too. Is he with you?
Um...
Ah, excuse me...
Stella: Pardon, you're...?
Nice to meetcha. I'm Kevin Graham, wandering priest. Sorry to interrupt the reunion, but Estelle's in a bit of a hurry.
Stella: O-Oh...Really? I'm sorry. I just got so excited...
No, don't worry about it. I'll make sure to come by again!
Stella: Yes, I'll make your favorite dish, Estelle! Bring Joshua next time, too!



Rinon: Well, I'll be! It's Estelle! It's been ages! When did you get back?
Hi, Rinon. I literally just got back now. You look well.
Rinon: You bet I am! Oh, yeah! We should be getting the latest Stregas in soon!
Whoa, really?
Yeah, those limited edition ones to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Strega Corporation.
Rinon: Oh, sir, you know a lot.
Hey, what can I say? A man's gotta love him some kicks.
I mean, check it! I'm wearing some right now.
Rinon: Oh, those are...
I...saw those in a magazine. They're an international-only model, not sold in Liberl...
Bingo!
I wanted some, but I couldn't find a way to import them.
Hang on, Estelle, you're big into sneakers too?
Uh, well...
Cool! Glad we have a shared interest!
Yes, indeed, this too is the guiding hand of She Above!
Hang on. Sneakers? On a priest of the church? Is that seriously okay?
Rinon: Wait, this guy's a priest?
D'aww, come on, I'm outnumbered here!
Rinon: In other news, my mother's been out scouring the countryside high and low to find me a wife. *sigh* I wish she'd just let it be, already!



Melders: Why, hello, Estelle! I've missed you brightening up my shop. It's been a while, ain't it?
Ahaha. You look well, Mr. Melders.
Melders: Heh, 'course I'm well. I'm not about to lose to you kids just yet. Ah, but if you're looking for Freddy, he's off in Zeiss.
Zeiss? What's he doing there?
Melders: The Central Factory is giving some kind of training session on tactical orbments, of all things.
Tactical orbments? Huh.
Melders: But, boy, I've been ten kinds of busy lately! I don't care if the boy's learning to perform miracles. He needs to get back here!



What's wrong? I thought you were going to be in Grancel for a while.
Ha ha, well, Joshua came home early, so I'm trying to catch up with him.
He did...?
...
Sir, are you from the Septian Church?
That's right. Kevin Graham's the name.
(I'm not sure what happened, but I've never seen Estelle this out of sorts.)
(I know it's a lot to ask, but could I ask you to stay with her until she's calmed down?)
(Trust me, I'm on top of it.)
Thank you, Father.
Huh...?



Ridge: I heard from Aina. Congrats on your promotion to senior bracer!
Haha, thanks, Ridge.
Ridge: Where're Schera and Joshua, though?
Schera's still in Grancel. Joshua came back home a little ahead of us.
Ridge: Weird. All right, well, can't wait to work together again.



Verne: On top of everything I heard in the news, I understand you won the Martial Arts Competition as well. You and Joshua truly are the pride of Rolent.
Awww, c'mon, Verne. Stop flattering me.
Verne: No, no, I do mean that. You inspire us all.
(Huh...She really is something.)



Father Divine: And you are...?
Pleasure to meetcha, Father. I'm Kevin Graham, wandering priest.
Father Divine: Ah, I did hear that someone from the High Seat would be stationed in Grancel soon. Would that be you?
Yup, guilty as charged! Now, it's, uh, kinda a long story as to why I'm out here...
Father Divine: ...(Father Kevin.)
(Yeah?)
Father Divine: (Please...protect Estelle, in every way you can.)
(...!)
(Yeah. Don't worry.)
Father Divine: Estelle, welcome home. Oh, Aidios, She Who Dwells Above. Give your guidance to these wandering lambs.



Lita: Yes, Estelle, hello! So you've returned to Rolent? Sadly, I'm afraid Mayor Klaus is in Grancel at the moment. The mistress is also in Grancel, at least for now. Mmm...The mistress wanted to see you very badly, too, Estelle. It's a shame.

Well, that was all very nice.

Now why do I feel like I'm forgetting somebody?